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Ask The Travel Doctor-TMVC

Q: I have been told about a new disease called Chikungunya disease. What is this?  I am going to China in March, can I get this disease?  

Philip,  Randwick

 

A: Chikungunya virus has been around forever, and in Africa and parts of Asia it has been a historical cause of outbreaks of illness. The virus is transmitted by mosquito bites (like Dengue fever), and causes a fever, body aches and pains, and swelling and arthritis in the joints. In 2005 a very large outbreak began and swept from East Africa, across the Indian Ocean countries and into India and Sri Lanka, with hundreds of thousands of cases, and many deaths. There is no vaccine against this virus, and so travelers in Asia and Africa must protect themselves against mosquito bites as the mainstay of prevention. It is mainly in the tropical areas of India, Sri Lanka, South East Asia, but not a significant risk in China.
 
Dr Conrad

 

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